Sign



J. L. TWAY SIGN May 13, 1941.

Filednec. 12, 1958 i?. Sheets-Sheet 1 May 13, 1941; J. L. TwAY 2,241,625

SIGN

Filed Deo. 12', 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 13, 1941 UNTED Y STATES PATENT GF 2 Claims.

The invention relates to signs and has as an object the provision of a sign structure formed of a sheet of opaque material cut away to'delineate the desired characters, whether letters, figures, punctuation marks, or of any other character, the sheet material being backed with` frangible material differing in appearancevfrom the sheet material, the frangible material being visible through the character forming openings so as to throw the characters into marked relief.

It is an object of the invention t provide a sign of the character referred to which is capable of preserving its display even after the frangible material has been shattered by accident or vandalism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a sign of the character referred to in which the shattered portions of the frangible material will be normally retained in situ so as to preserve the display of the sign.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a structure of the character referred to which may be'made in very large sizes having provisions for making the frangible material sectional.

It is a further objec't of the invention to provide a structure of the character referred to wherein the parts are eifectually sealed against the entrance of water.

Further objects will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings showing illustrative embodiments of the invention and wherein- Figure 1 is a front elevation;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3--3 of Figure 2 representing a face view of the sign with the face plate cut away;

Fig. 4 is a detail section corresponding to Figure 2 showing cushioning material between the face plate and the frangible material;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a form of the invention particularly adapted for signs of large sizes, the view being taken with the stencil plate removed and with the relative position of the plate and the openings therein shown in dot and dash lines Fig. 6 is a plan or edge view of the structure of Figure 5, but with the stencil plate in place;

Figs. 7 and 8" are front elevations of characters made as individuals adapted for use in signs of large dimensions, and

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 9--9 of Figure 7.

As shown in Figures l to 4 inclusive, the Vsign comprises a face sheet of material it having characters II cut therefrom in the manner of a stencil in which there are portions I2 extending between certain openings which together make up a character in order either to hold segregated portions of block letters in place or to support otherwise segregated portions of the face sheet.

To cover the rear of. the openings delimitingA is shown a shallow receptacle lll, desirably of thinY sheet metal enclosing the sheet I3 and formed with flanges I5 about its margin, which flanges contact the face sheet I Il and are secured thereto as by rivets I6.

To seal the sheet I3 in the receptacle I4, a layer of adhesive material .as permanently plastic asphalt mastic is indicated at I'l. It will be seen that should the sheet I3 be fractured as by vandalism from the blow of a projectile or by being injured by a charge of. shot, the sheet i3 will normally fracture, the cracks extending clear across the sheet, but these shattered fragments will normally have an end of each fragment projecting behind the face sheet and will therefore be held from` falling out, and furthermore, being embedded in the mastic will remain in place un- `less they are deliberately dug out with some sharp instrument.

To lessen the eiect of a blow upon the face sheet a cushioning material, as a layer of resilient cork, shown at I8, Figures 4 and 9, may be placed between the face sheet Il) and the sheet I 3.

In the case of signs of large dimensions wherein the characters may be measured in feet, difllculty would be found in assembling the sheet I3 in a single piece. In accordance with the form of invention shown in Figure 5, each character may `be formed separately either with a single sheet of frangible material or with a plurality of sheets, and a separate receptacle M' may be supplied for each character and formed with the flanges I5' individually secured to the face sheet.

In the form of Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and,9, advantage is taken of the portions I2 extending between certain of the openings making up theV characters to form the frangible material I3 in sections with their edges meeting behind the portions I2' whereby the appearance from the front is that of a single backing sheet. Furthermore, advantage is taken of the sectional frangible sheet which as shown may be out away at the meeting angles, as indicated at i9, to form in effect an opening through the frangible material without drilling the same, through which opening, a rivet 20 may be placed to connect the face sheet with the backing receptacle.

As already stated, a sign made in accordance with the invention may be very badly damaged and yet preserve its display characteristics. In large sizes, because of the provision for sectional assembly, the sign may be cheaply produced in comparison with its size, and the entire assembly is thoroughly sealed by the asphalt mastic Whereby water cannot get access to the spaces between the parts. The mastic shown is of such a character as will not affect the silvering of the frangible material when the same is silvered to provide the mirror effect.

Mino-r changes may be made in the physical embodiments of the invention without departing from its spirit within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sign comprising in combination: a face sheet having an open-work design delineating a character; frangible sheet material behind and closely adjacent said face sheet, covering and showing through said opening and presenting an appearance differing from said face sheet to make said character plainly visible; cushioning material between said frangible material and remaining portions of said face sheet; a receptacle enclosing said frangible material at the baclk and edges thereof; and adhesive material between opposing surfaces of said frangible material and said receptacle to retain said frangible material in situ, including any shattered fragments.

2. A sign comprising, in combination: a face sheet of material having a plurality of openings therein to provide a stenciled character with portions of said sheet separating certain of said openings which together delineate said character; a plurality of sheets of rangible material assembled in the rear of said face sheet with their edges 

